GET REEL: These films take you back to school

Sunday

Sep 9, 2018 at 2:00 AM

What better way to mark the return to school than with grade-A films about school?

Yours truly just happens to have assembled a modest list here numbering a baker’s dozen.

To make the cut, a film not only has to have quality in its corner but a good percentage of the action has to take place in a school setting. Thus, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” while a school film classic, spends very little time at school.

The movies are listed in alphabetical order.

“ANIMAL HOUSE” (1978) – There are plenty of fraternity movies out there, but this is the best and the funniest one by far. Unabashedly juvenile and endlessly quotable, this National Lampoon product proved that gross-out movies could gross beaucoup bucks as it has raked in more than $141 million, and cost only $2.8 million to make. John Belushi as Bluto is worth the price of admission alone. Plot? Who needs a plot? Well, if you really want one, it concerns the frat members of Delta Tau Chi at Faber College who treat authority with considerable disdain. Authority, namely Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon), is not amused. Repercussions ensue. Notable thespians making appearances early in their careers include Kevin Bacon, Tom Hulce, Tim Matheson, Peter Riegert, Stephen Furst and Karen Allen. John Landis directed from a script by Harold Ramis, Douglas Kenney and Chris Miller.

“THE BREAKFAST CLUB” (1985) – Question: What would happen if you put five teenagers from different cliques in the same classroom for an all-day detention? Answer: They would either a) rip each other to shreds or b) learn something from each other and in the process learn something about themselves. Option A might be more amusing as a World Wide Wrestling Federation event, but Option B makes more sense as a film. “Club” could easily serve as a tutorial on the perils of peer pressure, felt here by the aforementioned teens played by Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Judd Nelson and Ally Sheedy, aka, the “Brat Pack.” The film was written and directed by John Hughes, who went to school, so to speak, on making quality teen comedies, and this is one of his better efforts.

“CARRIE” (1976) – Don’t bother with the 2013 remake. This is the one to watch. From the mildly twisted mind of novelist Stephen King, this horror film proves that it’s not a good idea to bully a teen with telekinetic powers. Sissy Spacek plays the teen with something extra whose home life isn’t exactly idyllic either as her mother, played with psychotic gusto by Piper Laurie, is an abusive, religious fanatic. This film also cast notable thespians early in their careers, including John Travolta, Amy Irving and Nancy Allen. Spacek and Laurie received Oscar nominations for their performances. Brian De Palma directed from a script by Lawrence D. Cohen.

“DEAD POETS SOCIETY” (1989) – Anyone who questioned whether comedic genius Robin Williams could excel in a dramatic role had their question answered in the affirmative following his powerful performance here. In the film he plays a private school teacher with unorthodox teaching methods in the conformity-conscious 1950s. He inspires his students to question authority, but too much carpe diem doesn’t sit too well with the school’s headmaster. “O Captain! My Captain” gets a stirring recitation from his class led by Ethan Hawke’s character. Walt Whitman would have been proud. Peter Weir directed from an Oscar-winning script by Tom Schulman. For a darker version of the free-spirited teacher, see “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” (1969) starring Maggie Smith in an Oscar-winning performance.

“ELECTION” (1999) – This pitch-black comedy has Matthew Broderick of Ferris Bueller fame on the other side of the classroom desk playing a teacher who wants to make sure a student he abhors, Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon), doesn’t get elected study body president. Both go to great lengths to get what they want and let’s just say the election doesn’t go smoothly. Bad behavior rules and the collateral damage is extensive. Alexander Payne directed from an Oscar-nominated script by Payne and Jim Taylor.

“FAME” (1980) - Great music, great dancing and there’s even a plot dealing with some serious issues. The movie focuses on students as they go through their freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years at a high school for the performing arts. Trials and tribulations provide accompaniment. Alan Parker directed from a Oscar-nominated script by Christopher Gore. The film won two Academy Awards – best score (Michael Gore) and best song (“Fame,” music by Michael Gore, lyrics by Dean Pitchford and vocals by Irene Cara). FYI, Michael Gore is not related to Christopher Gore, but he is related to Leslie Gore. He is the late singer’s brother. Don’t confuse this film with the 2009 movie.

“FAST TIMES AT RIDGEMONT HIGH” (1982) – The main plot involves high school students coming of age while trying to get a handle on romance, but it’s a subplot that provides much of the pleasure here as it pits the perpetually stoned Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) against Mr. Hand (Ray Walston), an extremely straitlaced history teacher. The film also shows notable thespians early in their careers. In addition to Penn, the cast includes Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, Eric Stoltz, Forest Whitaker and Nicolas Cage (then credited as Nicolas Coppola, his real name - he’s Francis Ford’s nephew). Penn, Whitaker and Cage would later win Oscars. Amy Heckerling directed (her featured film debut) from a script by Cameron Crowe. The film is based on his book.

“GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS” (1939) – If you have any allergies to sentiment, place some medication nearby. This condition shouldn’t prevent you, though, from appreciating Robert Donat’s superb performance as the title character who recalls a lifetime of teaching and devotion to “his boys.” He does find time to fall in love and marry with his wife (played brilliantly by Greer Garson in her film debut) helping him become a better person and teacher. Sam Wood directed from a script by R.C. Sherriff, Claudine West and Eric Maschwitz based on a novel by James Hilton. Note that this film was released in 1939, the same year as “Gone with the Wind” and several other Hollywood classics, yet it was Donat and not Clark Gable who won the Oscar as best actor. Perhaps, the Academy didn’t give a damn about Rhett Butler. Gable had also won an Oscar for “It Happened One Night” in 1934. The 1969 version of “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” features Peter O’Toole and Petula Clark.

“GREASE” (1978) – Not much of a plot here - bad boy (John Travolta) meets good girl (Olivia Newton-John) and they drown in a vat of grease. No, no, no, they fall in love with the fun emanating from the relationship’s ups and downs while crooning and carousing in the 1950s. Based on the Broadway musical, the film benefits from fabulous songs and the fact that the two leads ooze sex appeal. How does Newton-John get into those pants? The film was nominated for best song (“Hopelessly Devoted to You”), though one could argue that other songs were just if not more worthy of Oscar consideration. For example, “You’re the One that I Want” and “Summer Nights.” Randal Kleiser directed (his feature film debut) from a script by Bronte Woodard and music by Michael Gibson. Avoid the sequel.

“HARRY POTTER” – These eight films based on the novels of J.K. Rowling run from 2001 to 2011 and consist of the “Philosopher’s Stone,” “Chamber of Secrets,” “Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Goblet of Fire,” “Order of the Phoenix,” “Half-Blood Prince” and “Deathly Hallows – Part 1 and Part 2.” The film’s stars, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, grew up before our eyes while acting in the series as students at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Think of these cuties as the Wizards of Ahs. Chris Columbus directed the first two movies, Alfonso Cuaron the second, Mike Newell the fourth and David Yates the rest. Steve Kloves wrote the scripts for all the films except “Order of the Phoenix,” which was penned by Michael Goldenberg. As for which ones to watch, I’m partial to the Yates’ films simply because matters get harrier for Harry when Lord Voldemort makes his evil presence felt in a more forceful fashion. The series received a huge boost from its hall of fame supporting cast including Alan Rickman, Robbie Coltrane, Maggie Smith, Richard Harris, Michael Gambon, Helena Bonham Carter, Gary Oldman, Emma Thompson, Brendan Gleeson, Jason Isaacs and Ralph Fiennes.

“MEAN GIRLS” (2004) – Truth in advertising here. Actually, “mean” may be too benign an adjective as these girls should register their vindictiveness as lethal weapons. The film centers around Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) and her dealings with the Plastics, a clique led by Regina George (Rachel McAdams). Various forms of treachery ensue complimented by a litany of ego-deflating insults. The comedy in this film cuts like a razor and you might alternate laughing with crying if you’ve ever been on the receiving end of this nasty behavior. Mark Waters directed the film from a script by Tina Fey partially based on the self-help book “Queen Bees and Wannabes” by Rosalind Wiseman.

“MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS” (1995) – Here’s another story of a beloved teacher who has to overcome administrative hostility and his own issues to try to reach a satisfactory coda. Excuse the music metaphor but the guy’s a composer who becomes a high school music teacher. The film should resonate with anyone who has seen school arts programs muted or mangled. Richard Dreyfuss earned an Oscar nomination for his performance as the title character. The sentiment-phobic crowd might be tempted to call this one “Goodbye, Mr. Holland.” Stephen Herek directed from a script by Patrick Sheane Duncan.

“SCHOOL OF ROCK” (2003) – This film is hysterical, and that’s all I have to say. OK, I’ll say a few more things. Jack Black is hysterical. Joan Cusack is hysterical. I think the operative word here is hysterical. In the film, Black plays a mild-mannered musician – OK, he’s neither mild nor mannered - who gets kicked out of his band and, desperate for money, impersonates a substitute teacher. He then arrives at a prep school where he proceeds to form a rock band consisting of fourth-graders. The kids are hysterical, too. The goal is to win the Battle of the Bands. Cusack plays the school’s principal. Richard Linklater directed from a script by Mike White. While Broadway shows typically spawn movies, here’s a movie that spawned a Broadway show.

“TO SIR, WITH LOVE” (1967) – Sydney Poitier stars as Mark Thackeray, a novice teacher who arrives at a London school where his working-class students don’t particularly care for authority figures, like teachers. They treat Thackeray like Rodney Dangerfield with no respect. Will he able to win them over? Take a guess. The film’s title song, sung by Lulu, who makes her film debut here, reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts. James Clavell directed the film and wrote the script based on the novel by E.R. Braithwaite. For the female version of this type of story, check out “Dangerous Minds” (1995) starring Michelle Pfeiffer.

Last month’s tester: What thespian competed for an Oscar five times in a seven-year span, including three years in a row? Clue: This thespian's mother was a showgirl.

Answer: Jack Nicholson

Joseph Hurney of Rockland was the only reader to answer the question correctly. Congratulations! FYI, Elizabeth Taylor was nominated five times, including three years in row, but during a 10-year span and her mother was an actress, not a showgirl.

This month's tester: This Emmy Award-winning foreign-born actress starred in a 1990s film that received three Oscar nominations and won two Golden Globe awards. Clue: Two of her co-stars have won Oscars and one of her ex-beaux is also in the film.

The first reader to answer the question correctly will receive a prize.

Trivia enthusiasts can call me at 508-626-4409 or email me at rtremblay@wickedlocal.com. Make sure you leave your name, address and phone number on my message machine or email so I can contact you if you answered the question correctly. The address is needed so winners can be mailed their prize. Callers should spell out their names slowly and clearly so their names will be spelled correctly in the column.

Answers will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Sept. 11. Good luck!

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